A ceremony was held at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) today (04th Saturday, April 2015) to commemorate the 118th Birth Anniversary of late General Sir John Kotelawala.
State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Major General Milinda Peiris received the Sate Minister upon his arrival at the venue. The State Minister also laid a floral tribute at the statue of the late Prime Minister during the occasion.
The late General Sir John Kotelawa was a former Prime Minister and had gifted his ancestral property including his mansion ‘Kandawala Walauwwa' in Ratmalana towards establishing the Defence University. The government named the newly established defence academy, the first of its kind in the island after the benefactor who had donated this invaluable property for the future generation of the country. It was formed in 1981 as a seat of learning for tri force officers.
Sir John Kotelawala studied at Royal College in Colombo and later graduated from the Cambridge University in England. He later joined the Army and got commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1922 and served in the Ceylon Light Infantry. Before retiring as a Colonel, the highest rank that a Ceylonese could achieve at that time, he was the commanding officer of the Ceylon Light Infantry. He was later promoted as General.
Sir John Kotelawala was the 3rd Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1953 to 1956.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister Wijewardane said that General Sir John Kotelawala was a brave statesman who faced challenges fearlessly and was also a great philanthropist. Much can be learned from his life for the future generation and the KDU is an example of his generosity, he added.
While paying tribute to the war heroes he said that alumni of the KDU had performed an unenviable role during the conflict to rid the nation of terrorism.
Stressing the importance of the KDU in providing defence related education he highlighted the need for further streamlining the educational process in order to face future challenges and requirements.
During the ceremony several children of the KDU staff members and selected students of Kandawala Vidyalaya were awarded with educational scholarships by the chief guest.
After the ceremony, the State Minister also visited the 'Kandawela Walauwwa', which has been converted into a museum.
Family members of late Sir John Kotelawala, tri force officers, members of the faculty staff, trainee officers and special invitees were present during the occasion. (Courtesy: MoD)
State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Major General Milinda Peiris received the Sate Minister upon his arrival at the venue. The State Minister also laid a floral tribute at the statue of the late Prime Minister during the occasion.
The late General Sir John Kotelawa was a former Prime Minister and had gifted his ancestral property including his mansion ‘Kandawala Walauwwa' in Ratmalana towards establishing the Defence University. The government named the newly established defence academy, the first of its kind in the island after the benefactor who had donated this invaluable property for the future generation of the country. It was formed in 1981 as a seat of learning for tri force officers.
Sir John Kotelawala studied at Royal College in Colombo and later graduated from the Cambridge University in England. He later joined the Army and got commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1922 and served in the Ceylon Light Infantry. Before retiring as a Colonel, the highest rank that a Ceylonese could achieve at that time, he was the commanding officer of the Ceylon Light Infantry. He was later promoted as General.
Sir John Kotelawala was the 3rd Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1953 to 1956.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister Wijewardane said that General Sir John Kotelawala was a brave statesman who faced challenges fearlessly and was also a great philanthropist. Much can be learned from his life for the future generation and the KDU is an example of his generosity, he added.
While paying tribute to the war heroes he said that alumni of the KDU had performed an unenviable role during the conflict to rid the nation of terrorism.
Stressing the importance of the KDU in providing defence related education he highlighted the need for further streamlining the educational process in order to face future challenges and requirements.
During the ceremony several children of the KDU staff members and selected students of Kandawala Vidyalaya were awarded with educational scholarships by the chief guest.
After the ceremony, the State Minister also visited the 'Kandawela Walauwwa', which has been converted into a museum.
Family members of late Sir John Kotelawala, tri force officers, members of the faculty staff, trainee officers and special invitees were present during the occasion. (Courtesy: MoD)
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